More bucket list items done.

As I approach the 6 month mark to sail away on Jan 26, 2013 many of the items that are on the must do bucket list are falling in place.

1. Got my renewed passport on Monday - took only ten days to be processed so that cleared that hurdle.

2. Brazilian Visa application - Canadians need a Visa to enter Brazil even by cruise ship so I have done the following - filled out the preliminary application on line and printed the remaining supporting documents - got the money order for the Visa, as a retiree - proof of income and tax assessment along with a letter detailing the visit - dropped it all off at the Brazilian Consulate here in Vancouver where it took all of fifteen minutes to complete - was asked a few questions about my employment when I did work - YMCA - how many years - over 40 - what job did you have - membership services and then given a receipt for the money paid and a note that I can follow my Visa application on line and it will tell me when it will be ready - shouldn't take much more than a week.

3. With that out of the way I can now work on three more items - train travel to Ft Lauderdale, travel insurance and ship excursions which are now posted on the Princess web site - Princess unlike NCL doesn't yet charge you for booking excursions prior to sailing.

4. Re: yellow fever shot - this has been a bone of contention with many of us who are cruising as there appears to be some misinformation in cyber space - Princess has it showing that we must get the shot while both the CDC and Brazil are only recommending getting one - now Princess is apparently going to post that it is not required. Hopefully it's not a requirement because it will cost me over $125.00 as it isn't cover by my provincial medical plan.

5. Packing list - yes I printed the one I use for the longer cruises out but this one will have to be altered - between the cruise, train travel and a stay in Fort Lauderdale and possibly San Francisco I will be done for two months - traveling through Chicago and Washington in mid-winter will be interesting - we will have a variety of weather on the cruise - as stated earlier there is a laundromat on board the ship so I plan to do some laundry about every ten days - it will be a sea day - however it is likely to be a zoo on those days as well - might also take advantage of some of the ships laundry offers as well.

6. Did have to make a deposit payment for one of the excursions - used pay pal - worked like a charm - while I have an account the person requesting payment also had one so it was super easy - so far it is the only one of the private excursions that an advanced payment has been required.

Coming soon - a look at some of the ports that I will be visiting and what I might do there.

Cheers!

D